Locking and releasing mechanism for vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A locking and releasing mechanism for a seat having a first fitting part associated with one of a seat part and a backrest and a second fitting part associated with the other one of the seat part and the backrest that may be locked and released relative to one another by the mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a detent pawl configured to selectively latch the first fitting part to lock a displacement of the first fitting part and the second fitting part relative to one another and a detent plate configured to be reversibly displaced between a detent position, wherein the detent plate locks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remains latched with the first fitting part, and a release position, wherein the detent plate allows the detent pawl to be released from the first fitting part. The mechanism also includes driver configured to selectively move the detent plate between the detent position and the release position. The driver includes a securing segment for securing the detent plate against self opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2006/006166 filed on Jun. 27, 2006, which claims the benefitof German Patent Application No. 102005030050.2 filed on Jun. 27, 2005and German Patent Application No. 102005037832.3 filed on Aug. 8, 2005.The entire disclosures of International Application No.PCT/EP2006/006166, German Patent Application No. 102005030050.2, andGerman Patent Application No. 102005037832.3 are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a locking and releasing mechanism foradjusting the inclination of a seat (i.e., a locking and releasingmechanism). In particular, the present disclosure relates to a lockingand releasing mechanism for a vehicle seat, a vehicle seat with alocking and releasing mechanism and a method for securing a locking andreleasing mechanism against self-opening.

Locking and releasing mechanisms are designed to withstand high loads inorder not to be opened and to be displaced inadvertently when used inmotor vehicle seats (e.g., in the event of an accident). However, it hasbeen demonstrated that certain locking and releasing mechanisms tend toopen inadvertently under high loads. Attempts have been made to providesafety catches which prevent such automatic opening. For example, DE 10048 127 A1 discloses a fitting for a vehicle seat in which lockingelements are provided on a pivotably mounted clamping eccentric forsecuring the pawl and which prevent the displacement of the clampingeccentric in the event of an accident, so that the pawl is not able tobe opened. The disclosed mechanism, however, has the drawback that ithas to be manufactured and mounted with very fine tolerances which has adisadvantageous effect on production and assembly costs.

Thus, there remains a need to provide a locking and releasing mechanism,in particular for a motor vehicle seat, which does not have thedrawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a locking and releasing mechanism fora seat having a first fitting part associated with one of a seat partand a backrest and a second fitting part associated with the other oneof the seat part and the backrest that may be locked and releasedrelative to one another by the mechanism. The mechanism includes adetent pawl configured to selectively latch the first fitting part tolock a displacement of the first fitting part and the second fittingpart relative to one another and a detent plate configured to bereversibly displaced between a detent position, wherein the detent platelocks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remains latched with thefirst fitting part, and a release position, wherein the detent plateallows the detent pawl to be released from the first fitting part. Themechanism also includes drive means configured to selectively move thedetent plate between the detent position and the release position. Thedrive means includes a securing segment for securing the detent plateagainst self opening.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a seat recliner. The seatrecliner includes first and second fitting parts. The second fittingpart is selectively displaceable relative to the first fitting part. Theseat recliner also includes a detent pawl supported at the secondfitting part and movable between a first position wherein the secondfitting part is locked relative to the first fitting part and a secondposition wherein the second fitting part is released relative to thefirst fitting part. The seat recliner further includes a detent platesupported at the second fitting part and movable between a detentposition for securing the detent pawl in the first position and arelease position for allowing the detent pawl to move to the secondposition. The seat recliner further includes a driver configured toselectively move the detent plate between the detent position and therelease position. The driver includes a securing segment for securingthe detent plate against self opening.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a seat recliner that includesfirst and second fitting parts, the second fitting part beingselectively displaceable relative to the first fitting part, a detentpawl supported at the second fitting part and movable between a firstposition wherein the second fitting part is locked relative to the firstfitting part and a second position wherein the second fitting part isreleased relative to the first fitting part, a detent plate supported atthe second fitting part and movable between a detent position forsecuring the detent pawl in the first position and a release positionfor allowing the detent pawl to move to the second position, a blockingmember supported at the second fitting part, a securing member arrangedbetween an outer contour of the detent plate and the blocking member anda driver configured to selectively move the detent plate between thedetent position and the release position.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle that includes a seatpart, a backrest, a first fitting part supported at the seat part, asecond fitting part supported at the backrest; and a recliner. Therecliner includes a detent pawl supported at the second fitting part andmovable between a first position wherein the second fitting part islocked relative to the first fitting part and a second position whereinthe second fitting part is released relative to the first fitting part,a detent plate supported at the second fitting part and movable betweena detent position for securing the detent pawl in the first position anda release position for allowing the detent pawl to move to the secondposition and a driver configured to selectively move the detent platebetween the detent position and the release position. The driverincludes a securing segment for securing the detent plate against selfopening.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of locking andreleasing a recliner mechanism. The method includes providing a driverwith a securing segment and a second segment, providing a detent plateand providing a detent pawl. The method also includes displacing thesecuring segment from a securing position into a drive position anddisplacing the detent plate with the driver from a detent position,wherein the detent plate locks the displacement of the detent pawl, intoa release position, wherein the detent plate does not lock thedisplacement of the detent pawl so that the mechanism released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 d are side views of a locking and releasing mechanismaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the locking andreleasing mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a locking and releasing mechanism according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the locking and releasing mechanism ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is another detailed side view of the locking and releasingmechanism of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6 a-6 b is a partially exploded perspective views of the lockingand releasing mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a locking and releasing mechanism according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 8 a-8 c are side views of the locking and releasing mechanism ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a locking and releasing mechanism according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 10 a-10 b are side views of a locking and releasing mechanismshown without a blocking and securing means.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a locking and releasing mechanism according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the locking and releasing mechanism of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the locking and releasing mechanism of FIG. 11shown with maximum clearance.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the locking and releasing mechanism of FIG. 11shown with minimum clearance.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a locking and releasing mechanism according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the locking and releasing mechanism of FIG.15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, a locking and releasing mechanism isshown according to an exemplary embodiment. The locking and releasingmechanism is shown as being used with a motor vehicle seat having afirst fitting part and a second fitting part. The locking and releasingmechanism allows the displacement of the first fitting part and/or thesecond fitting part to be locked and released relative to one another.The locking and releasing mechanism includes a drive means or driver, adetent plate and a detent pawl. By latching to the first fitting part,the detent pawl is able to be locked relative thereto. The detent plateis able to be reversibly displaced by means of the drive means. Thedetent plate locks the displacement of the detent pawl in a detentposition and releases the displacement in a release position. The drivemeans or driver comprises a securing segment for securing the detentplate against self-opening.

The additional securing segment of the drive means or driver secures thedetent plate against self-opening. As a result, the detent plate remainssecurely in the detent position and locks the detent pawl so that themechanism is locked under high loads. For purposes of the presentdisclosure, the phrase a “detent position” is used broadly to refer toany position of the detent plate in which the detent plate locks thedetent pawl and the phrase “a release position” is used broadly to referto any position of the detent plate in which it does not lock the detentpawl.

As noted above, the mechanism remains securely in the detent positionunder high loads. The presence of the securing segment allows thelocking angle to be optimized so that it is possible for the releasingto be easier and therefore more comfortable for the user. The free spacecreated by the securing segment may be used for a comfort-orienteddesign.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or driver may bedisplaced at least partially reversibly from a drive position into asecuring position. According to such an embodiment, the displacement ofthe detent plate from the detent position into the release position isonly possible when the drive means or driver is in the drive position.

Accordingly to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or driver has tobe displaced at least partially into the drive position so that thedetent plate may be displaced into the release position. Provided thatthe drive means or driver is not driven, an inadvertent displacement ofthe detent plate, and a self-opening of the mechanism, in which thedetent plate is displaced from the detent position into the releaseposition, is not possible. According to such an embodiment, themechanism is securely locked in the detent position under high loads.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or drivercomprises a securing segment and a second segment. According to such anembodiment, the detent plate may either be displaced only by means ofthe second segment or by means of the second segment and the securingsegment together from the detent position into the release position andback.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or driver may berotated about a drive axle. As such, the securing segment is able to bedisplaced by rotating the drive means or driver about the drive axlefrom the securing position into the drive position. Further, by rotatingthe drive means about the drive axle, the detent plate is able to bedisplaced from the detent position into the release position and back.Thus, the driving of the securing segment takes place on the same axisas the driving of the locking and releasing of the mechanism. No furthercomponents for actuating the securing segment are required.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or driver isactuated by means of a handle. A person skilled in the art, afterreading the present disclosure, will understand that electricalactuation of the drive means or driver is also possible.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second segment may be rotatedcounter to the force of a second force means or element about the driveaxle so that the detent plate is held by means of the force of thesecond force means or element in the detent position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the securing segment comprises afirst positive and/or non-positive connecting means or connector and thesecond segment comprises a second positive and/or non-positiveconnecting means or connector. The first, as well as the second,positive and/or non-positive connecting means or connector is at leastpartially in engagement with a third positive and/or non-positiveconnecting means or connector of the detent plate. By the mutualengagement of the positive and/or non-positive connecting means orconnector, a load on the detent plate also acts positively and/ornon-positively on the drive means or driver, in particular on thesecuring segment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third positive and/ornon-positive connecting means or connector of the detent plate is atoothing.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first positive and/ornon-positive connecting means or connector, as well as the secondpositive and/or non-positive connecting means or connector, isrespectively at least two teeth with the same tooth spacing. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the transitional tooth spacing between thefront tooth of the first positive and/or non-positive connecting meansor connector and the rear tooth of the second positive and/ornon-positive connecting means or connector, which are adjacent to oneanother, are unequal to, preferably greater than, the tooth spacing. Thetransitional tooth spacing is an intentional spacing error of thetoothing of the drive means or driver and/or between the securingsegment and the second segment, which allows a no-load operation, bymeans of which the releasing of the mechanism is possible in a veryuniform manner, when the releasing takes place by the drive means ordriver. In contrast, the transitional tooth spacing between the teeth ofthe securing segment and the teeth of the second segment with a highload acting on the detent plate, by means of which the detent platetends toward self-opening, leads to a collision of the toothing of thedetent plate with that of the drive means or driver. According to suchan embodiment, the detent plate is slightly displaced (e.g., due totolerances) but is then securely stopped by the collision so that thedetent plate remains in the detent position and the mechanism is furthersecurely locked.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the detent plate may be rotatedabout a detent axis. According to such an embodiment, the no-loadoperation then corresponds to an angle of rotation of the detent plateof approximately three (3) degrees to approximately five (5) degrees.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first positive and/ornon-positive connecting means or connector is a securing means or memberwhich, in the detent position, is in engagement with a front detenttooth of the third positive and/or non-positive connecting means of thedetent plate. Under high load, the displacement of the detent plate fromthe detent position into the release position is blocked by cooperationof the detent tooth with the securing means or member.

A person skilled in the art, after reading the present disclosure, willunderstand that the detent tooth engages behind the securing means ormember in the detent position. According to such an embodiment, thesecuring segment may be rotated counter to the force of a first forcemeans or element about the drive axle so that the securing segmentadditionally holds the detent plate in the detent position by means ofthe force of the first force means or element. The first force means orelement has the effect that under load (e.g., when the vehicle is beingdriven), the securing segment is held in one position and does notrattle.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the securing means or member alsocomprises a displacement means or member which in the detent positionbears against a contour of the front detent tooth. According to such anembodiment, the displacement means or member is displaced when drivingthe securing segment before and/or during the displacement of the detentplate so that in the drive position of the securing segment, it does nothamper the detent plate when displaced.

When the drive means or driver is driven, the second segment, togetherwith the securing segment, is displaced so that the securing means ormember does not hamper the detent tooth. As a result of tolerances ofthe mechanism (e.g., as a result of manufacturing or productiontolerances), no-load operation possibly occurs to a slight extent whendisplacing the detent plate from the detent position into the releaseposition. The displacement is, however, substantially possible withoutan additional no-load operation. The angle of release is, therefore,smaller, in contrast to the aforementioned embodiment which provides anintentional additional no-load operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the securing segment comprises atleast one stop and the second segment comprises at least one counterstopso that when displacing the drive means or driver, the second segment isdisplaced therewith from the securing segment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means or drivercomprises a spline shaft profile which bears against the drive axle sothat the second segment does not slip when rotating the drive axle.

The dividing of the drive means or driver into the securing segment andthe second segment allows a considerably greater security againstself-opening in the event of an accident. Such a configuration alsoallows the mechanism to be released more easily. The additionalcomponent cost of such a configuration is restricted to one or twocomponents and is therefore very low. The drive means or driver may berapidly and easily assembled by “fitting together.” The additionalproduction and assembly costs are therefore low.

According to another embodiment, a securing means or member is attachedbetween an outer contour of the detent plate and a blocking means ormember.

It was extremely surprising and unexpected for the person skilled in theart that the mechanism disclosed herein succeeds in reliably preventingautomatic releasing of the detent pawl. The mechanism disclosed hereinmay be produced and assembled easily and cost-effectively. The mechanismdisclosed herein is capable of functioning even with relatively highmanufacturing tolerances. The blocking means or member is designed as abarrier which moves therewith so that it is possible to compensate fortolerances and no loss of strength occurs.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mechanism comprises a securingmeans or member which is arranged for securing between the detent plateand the blocking means or member. According to an exemplary embodiment,the securing means is connected to the drive means, which moves thedetent plate into the detent position and/or into the release position.As a result, at the same time the securing means or member may be eitherattached or removed with the respective displacement of the detentplate.

The securing means or member may be any securing means or memberfamiliar to the person skilled in the art. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the securing means is a ball, a cylinder or a securing meansor member which is mounted to be rotatable in only one direction.

According to such an embodiment, a certain clearance is present betweenthe detent plate, the blocking means or member and the securing means ormember which is only eliminated during overload (e.g., in the event of acrash). Such an embodiment has the advantage that the mechanism may beoperated with a relatively low expenditure of force under normalconditions.

The present disclosure also relates to a seat which comprises themechanism disclosed herein. The security of the mechanism of the seatnot being inadvertently released (e.g., in the event of an accident) isconsiderably improved. For example, when using the mechanism for lockingand releasing the inclination of the backrest relative to the seat partof a seat in a motor vehicle, even when loading the backrest (e.g., byluggage which has slid into the passenger compartment during anaccident), the inclination adjuster is not released. As such, the seatoffers a greater security for the passengers. Moreover, the seat may bemore easily locked.

The present disclosure further relates to a method for releasing thelocking and releasing mechanism.

Turning now to the figures in detail, FIG. 1 shows a mechanism 100according to an exemplary embodiment. The mechanism 100 is aninclination adjuster (i.e., recliner) for adjusting the inclination of abackrest (not shown) of a seat relative to the seat part (not shown) ofthe seat. The seat includes a first fitting part 1 configured to bearranged on the seat part and a second fitting part 2 configured to bearranged on the backrest of the seat. The first fitting part 1 and thesecond fitting part 2 are shown as having a common rotational axis 3. Byrotating the second fitting part 2 about the rotational axis 3, thesecond fitting part 2 may be displaced relative to the first fittingpart 1.

The mechanism 100 comprises a detent pawl 4 with positive and/ornon-positive connecting means 5, as well as a detent plate 6. Accordingto the embodiment illustrated, the connecting means 5 is a toothing. Thedetent plate 6 cooperates in its detent position R (shown in FIGS. 1 a,1 b and 1 d) positively and/or non-positively with the detent pawl 4,which in turn cooperates in a detent position R positively and/ornon-positively with a countertoothing 5.1 of the first fitting part 1.The detent pawl 4 is rotatably arranged on the second fitting part 2. Inthe detent position R, both the second fitting part 2 and the detentpawl 4 are locked relative to the first fitting part 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 c in particular, the detent plate 6 is reversiblydisplaceable from the detent position R into a release position F bymeans of a drive means 7. In the release position F, the detent plate 4cooperates positively and/or non-positively with the detent pawl 6 sothat the detent pawl 6 is displaced (e.g., lifted from the first fittingpart 1) and does not cooperate positively and/or non-positively with thefirst fitting part 1. With the detent pawl 6 displaced, the mechanism100 is released in the release position F.

To facilitate the displacement of the detent plate 6, the drive means 7comprises a securing segment 7.1 with a first positive and/ornon-positive connecting means 7.11-7.1i, shown according to an exemplaryembodiment as two teeth 7.11, 7.12 which are rigid relative to oneanother. The drive means 7 also comprises a second segment 7.2 with asecond positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.21-7.2i, shownaccording to an exemplary embodiment as two teeth 7.21, 7.22 which arerigid relative to one another. According to an exemplary embodiment, theteeth 7.11, 7.12 of the securing segment 7.1, as well as the teeth 7.21,7.22 of the second segment 7.2, have the same tooth spacing 7.00. Incontrast, the transitional tooth spacing 7.01 between the front tooth7.11 of the securing segment 7.1 and the rear tooth 7.22 of the secondsegment 7.2, which rest against one another, is greater in a securingposition S of the drive means 7 than the tooth spacing 7.00. Accordingto such an embodiment, the teeth 7.11, 7.12 of the first positive and/ornon-positive connecting means 7.11-7.1i and the teeth 7.21, 7.22 of thesecond positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.21-7.2i have aspacing error at this transitional point.

The drive means 7 is rotatably arranged about a drive axle 9 which isconnected to a handle (not shown).

To intentionally displace the detent plate 6 from the detent position Rinto the release position F, the drive means 7 is rotated about thedrive axle 9 from the securing position S into a drive position A.According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive means 7 is rotatedcounter to the force of a first force means 8.1 (e.g., a spring).According to an exemplary embodiment, the transitional tooth spacing7.01 between the front tooth 7.11 of the securing segment 7.1 and therear tooth 7.22 of the second segment 7.2 is reduced until in the driveposition A it is substantially the same as the tooth spacing 7.00 of thefirst positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.11-7.1i and thesecond positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.21-7.2i so thatthe tooth spacing 7.00 as well as the transitional tooth spacing 7.01 onthe drive means 7 is uniform. According to an exemplary embodiment, therequired angle of rotation, about which the drive means 7 is rotatedfrom the securing position S into the drive position A, is approximatelythree (3) degrees to approximately five (5) degrees.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the securing segment 7.1 and thesecond segment 7.2 are substantially rotated in synchronism. Referringto FIG. 2, the securing segment 7.1 has a stop 13.1 and the secondsegment 7.2 has a counterstop 13.2 which bear against one another in thedrive position A so that the second segment 7.2 is driven along duringfurther rotation. The detent plate 6 has third positive and/ornon-positive connecting means 6.1, shown according to an exemplaryembodiment as a partial toothing, which is at least partially inengagement with the first positive and/or non-positive connecting means7.11-7.1i and the second positive and/or non-positive connecting means7.21-7.2i when rotating the drive means 7 so that the detent plate 6 isdisplaced from the detent position R into the release position F.

FIGS. 1 a-c show the displacement of the securing segment 7.1 from thesecuring position S into the drive position A and the detent plate 6from the detent position R into the release position F. FIG. 1 a showsthe securing segment 7.1 in the securing position S and the detent plate6 in the detent position R. In such positions, the mechanism 100 islocked. FIG. 1 b shows the securing segment 7.1 in the drive position Aand the detent plate 6 in the detent position R. In such positions, themechanism 100 remains locked. FIG. 1 c shows the securing segment 7.1 inthe drive position A and detent plate 6 in the release position F. Insuch positions, the mechanism 100 is released.

With a high load on the locked seat (e.g., in the event of an accident),the detent plate 6 in turn attempts (as a result of mass inertia) todisplace the drive wheel 7 counter to the force of the force means 8.1in the direction of the release position F, see FIG. 1 d. As a result ofthe greater transitional tooth spacing 7.01 relative to the toothspacing 7.00 of the first positive and/or non-positive connecting means7.11-7.1i and the second positive and/or non-positive connecting means7.21-7.2i, the third positive and/or non-positive connecting means 6.1of the detent plate 6 may not engage in the teeth 7.11, 7.12 of thefirst positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.11-7.1i.

The teeth 7.11, 7.12, 7.21, 7.22 of the drive means 7 may thus drive thedetent plate 6, but an inadvertent release of the detent plate 6 isprevented by blocking the torque transmission between the detent plate 6and the drive means 7. The detent plate 6 is possibly, therefore,slightly displaced from the detent position R in the direction of therelease position F, the detent position R, however, remaining maintainedinsofar as the latching is secured and the mechanism is locked.

FIG. 1 d shows the securing segment 7.1 in the securing position S anddetent plate 6 in the detent position R under high load. The mechanism100 is locked remains locked in these position.

In comparison to conventional mechanisms, the mechanism 100 disclosedherein has increased security against self-opening under high load, inparticular in the event of an accident.

FIG. 2 shows an at least partially exploded view of the mechanism 100according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the embodimentillustrated, the second fitting part 2 comprises two second fitting partcomponents 2.1 which are substantially the same and which are arrangedparallel to one another and between which the first fitting part 1, thedetent pawl 4, the detent plate 6 as well as the drive means 7 arearranged.

FIG. 3 shows the mechanism 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment. Similar to the embodiment detailed above with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanism 100 comprises the first fitting part 1, thesecond fitting part 2, the detent pawl 4 and the detent plate 6. Thesecond fitting part 2 is rotatable relative to the first fitting part 1about the rotational axis 3. In order to lock the rotation of the secondfitting part 2, the detent pawl 4 comprises the toothing 5 as positiveand/or non-positive connecting means by means of which it is inengagement with the countertoothing 5.1 of the first fitting part 1. Thedetent pawl 4 is secured by the detent plate 6 in the detent position Rand may be displaced into the release position F, in which the mechanism100 is released. Moreover, the mechanism 100 also comprises a drivemeans 7 with a securing segment 7.1 and a second segment 7.2 which maybe rotated about the drive axle 9.

In contrast to the mechanism 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the firstpositive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.11-7.1i of the securingsegment 7.1 is a securing means 10 in the form of a hook which in thedetent position R of the detent plate 6 cooperates positively and/ornon-positively with the front detent tooth 11 of the third positiveand/or non-positive connecting means 6.1 of the detent plate 6.Moreover, the mechanism 100 comprises a first force means 8.1 as well asa second force means 8.2. The securing segment 7.1 is displaceablecounter to the force of the first force means 8.1 and the second segment7.2 is displaceable counter to the force of the second force means 8.2.The two force means 8.1, 8.2 thus hold the detent plate 6 in the detentposition R.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detailed view of the detent plate 6 (shown inFIG. 3) in the detent position R as well as the drive means 7 in thesecuring position S. The detent plate 6 may not be inadvertently openedby the action of external forces, which for example act on the detentpawl 4, since the securing means 10 cooperate positively and/ornon-positively with the detent tooth 11 to block a displacement of thedetent plate 6.

FIG. 5 shows the releasing of the mechanism 100 of FIGS. 3 and 4 withthe detent plate 6 in the detent position R, R′ and in the releaseposition F and the drive means 7 in the drive position A. When actuatingthe handle (not shown), which generates a torque introduced via a splineshaft profile 12 of the drive means which bears against the drive axle9, the securing means 10 is rotated counter to the force of the firstforce means 8.1 until the detent tooth 11 is no longer surrounded by thehook-like securing means 10. As a result, substantially no additionaldisplacement of the drive means 7 (i.e., substantially no additionalno-load operation) is required. Moreover, the torque is transmitted viathe first stop 13.1 of the securing segment 7.1 and the second stop 13.2of the second segment 7.2 to the second segment 7.2 so that the securingsegment 7.1 and the second segment 7.2 are rotated about the drive axle9 in synchronism. With the first stop 13.1 engaging the second stop 13.2so as to rotate the securing segment 7.1 and the second segment 7.2 insynchronism, the detent plate 6 is displaced into the release positionF. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and the second forcemeans are springs.

FIG. 6 shows the mechanism according to another exemplary embodimentwith a drive means 7 that is similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.According to the embodiment illustrated, the second fitting part 2includes two second fitting part components 2.1 which are substantiallythe same and which are arranged parallel to one another and betweenwhich the first fitting part 1, the detent pawl 4, the detent plate 6 aswell as the drive means 7 are arranged.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the mechanism 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment. According to the embodiment illustrated, the securingsegment 7.1 comprises as a slot as the securing means 10 and a bolt asthe displacement means 15, which may be displaced along the slot.According to such an embodiment, the displacement means 15 is guidedalong a guide means 14 of the second fitting part 2. The guide means 14is also shown as a slot. FIG. 7 shows the detent plate 6 in the detentposition R and the securing segment 7.1 of the drive means 7 in thesecuring position S. When displacing the securing segment 7.1 from thesecuring position S into the drive position A, the bolt 15 is displacedalong a contour 16 of the front detent tooth 11 of the third positiveand/or non-positive connecting means 6.1 of the detent plate 6. In thisconnection, the detent plate 6 is simultaneously displaced by means ofthe second positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.21-7.2i ofthe second segment 7.2.

FIG. 8 a shows the locked state of the mechanism 100. When the drivemeans 7 is not displaced, the detent plate 6 is secured by the bolt 15in every detent position R. FIG. 8 b shows a position of the securingsegment 7.1 when the securing segment 7.1 is displaced from the securingposition S into the drive position A. The detent plate 6 is stilllocated in the detent position R. In order to increase further thesecurity against self-opening, the guide means 14 has a curvature sothat a displacement of the bolt 15 due to a high load is prevented. Thecurvature is, moreover, provided such that the displacement of the bolt15 in the drive position A of the securing segment 7.1 and/or in therelease position F of the detent plate 6 takes place easily. In thedrive position A of the securing segment 7.1, the bolt 15 is arrangedsuch that it does not hinder the displacement of the detent plate. FIG.8 c shows the securing segment 7.1 in the drive position A. The detentplate 6 is located in the release position F. The detent pawl 4, whichis not shown here, and/or the mechanism 100 is released.

FIG. 9 shows the mechanism 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment. Similar to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the securing means 10 includes a slot and a bolt 15 as well as a guidemeans 14 in the form of a slot. In contrast to the mechanism 100 ofFIGS. 7 and 8, the guide means 14 comprises a curvature and/or thedetent plate 6 comprises a contour 16 by means of which an intentionaladditional displacement of the drive means 7 (i.e., a no-load operation)is required before the securing segment 7.1 has reached the driveposition A, in which the detent plate 6 may be displaced from the detentposition R into the release position F. In FIG. 9, the securing segment7.1 is still located and/or again located in the securing position S.The detent plate 6 is located in the detent position R. The circle Kshows the engagement of the second positive and/or non-positiveconnecting means 7.21-7.2i of the second segment 7.2 with the thirdpositive and/or non-positive connection means 6.1 of the detent plate 6.The second positive and/or non-positive connecting means 7.21-7.2i andthe third positive and/or non-positive connecting means 6.1 are notcompletely in engagement with one another.

For the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the drivemeans 7 may be in one piece so that the securing segment 7.1 and thesecond segment 7.2, apart from the bolt 15 of the securing means 10, arein one piece.

A conventional locking and releasing mechanism with a drive means whichdoes not comprise a securing segment 7.1 may be adapted to therequirements of a seat, merely by replacing the drive means of theconventional locking and releasing mechanism with a drive means 7 of atype disclosed herein with a securing segment 7.1 and a second segment7.2. The adaptation of the seat according to the requirements istherefore easily and cost-effectively possible with a modular design.

FIG. 10 shows a locking and releasing mechanism without a blocking or asecuring means. The mechanism 100 comprises a detent pawl 4 withpositive and/or non-positive connecting means 5, in this case atoothing, as well as a detent plate 6. The detent plate 6 cooperates inits detent position R (see FIG. 10 a) positively and/or non-positivelywith the detent pawl 4, which in turn cooperates positively and/ornon-positively in a detent position R with the countertoothing of thefirst fitting part 1. The positive and/or non-positive connectionbetween the detent plate 6 and the detent pawl 4 is carried out by acooperation of the surfaces 6.1 and/or 4.2. The detent pawl 4 may berotatably arranged on the second fitting part 2 so that both the secondfitting part 2 and the detent pawl 4 have to be locked in the detentposition R relative to the first fitting part 1. The detent plate 6 isreversibly displaceable from the detent position R (see FIG. 10 a)counterclockwise into a release position F (see FIG. 10 b) by means of adrive means 7. In the release position F, the detent plate 4 cooperateswith the detent pawl 6 such that the detent plate 4 rotates clockwise.In the present case, the detent plate 6 presses against the surface 4.1of the detent pawl and rotates said detent pawl clockwise. As a result,the detent pawl 4 no longer positively and/or non-positively cooperateswith the first fitting part 1. The mechanism 100 is therefore releasedin the release position F.

With a high load on the locked seat (e.g., in the event of an accident),the detent plate 6 attempts (e.g., due to mass inertia) to rotatecounterclockwise, which may lead to a release of the detent pawl 4. Inorder to prevent this, the mechanism 100 a blocking and securing meansis added to the mechanism as shown in FIGS. 11-16.

FIG. 11 shows the mechanism 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment in the locked and blocked state in which an inadvertentself-opening of the recliner is eliminated. According to the embodimentillustrated, the mechanism 100 comprises a blocking means, shown as aprojection 2.1 arranged on the fitting 2. Moreover, between theprojection 2.1 and the detent plate 6, a securing ball 10 is arranged.The ball 10 is connected with an elastically flexible connecting means11 to the drive 7. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connectionand/or the drive 7 is designed such that the connecting means 11 in therespective rotational direction of the drive 7 is only driven when thistakes place mechanically or manually (i.e., intentionally), but notinduced by a crash. The drive 7 and the connecting means 11 are designedand adapted to one another, such that the ball 10 is brought into aquite specific position in the gap in which there is still a clearance,which, according to an exemplary embodiment is as small as possible,between the ball and the adjacent contours 6.1 and 2.1.1. Moreover, thedrive 7 is designed such that with the intentional clockwise rotationthereof, initially the ball 10 is at least partially removed from thegap 12, before the detent plate 6 begins to rotate. Moreover, as shownin FIG. 11, the ball 10 is arranged between the contour 2.1.1 of theprojection 2.1 and the contour 6.1 of the detent plate 6. In normaloperation, a certain clearance (not shown) exists between the contoursand the ball 10 at least on one side. This clearance allows thedisplacement of the two plates 1, 2 toward one another. With the dangerof self-opening of the recliner (e.g., in the event of a crash), theclearance is initially eliminated before the ball 10 adopts its actualsecuring function. The contour 6.1 is designed as a curve (with theradius of the curve shown as increasing clockwise) so that the radiusR″6.1 is greater than the radius R′6.1. The same applies to the contour2.1.1, the inclination of which increases clockwise. As a result, inevery position of the ball, a self-locking wedge angle results betweenthe ball 10 and the contours 6.1 and 2.1.1 which prevents a self-openingof the recliner (i.e., the ball is clamped between the two contours 6.1and 2.1.1 during a crash in which the detent plate 6 might rotatecounterclockwise) and is not forced out of the gap 12 which is presentbetween the two contours. The ball 10 thus prevents the detent plate 6from being inadvertently automatically rotated counterclockwise and thusthe engagement of the surfaces 4.2 and 6.2 from being released.

FIG. 12 shows the mechanism 100 of FIG. 11 in the unblocked and releasedstate. To achieve this state, the drive 7 was manually or mechanically(i.e. intentionally) rotated clockwise, which may be seen with referenceto the marking lines 13′ and 13″, which no longer overlap, in contrastto the view according to FIG. 11. By rotating the drive 7, firstly theconnecting means 11 was driven and as a result initially pulled the ball10 at least partially out of the gap 12. After a short time interval,the drive 7 rotated the detent plate 6, as shown by the arrow,counterclockwise and thus released the latching engagement between thesurfaces 4.2 and 6.2. By rotating the detent plate 6 counterclockwise,the detent plate 6 comes into engagement with the lug 4.1 of the detentpawl so that the detent pawl 4, with a further rotation of the detentplate 6, rotates clockwise and, as visible in FIG. 10 b, is lifted offfrom the first fitting part 1. When the drive 7 rotatescounterclockwise, firstly the detent plate 6 is rotated clockwise andsecondly the detent pawl 4 is rotated counterclockwise so that thedetent pawl 4 again cooperates positively and/or non-positively with thefitting 1 and the detent plate 6 again comes into latching engagementwith the detent 4. The ball 10 is inserted, after a time delay, into thegap 12 and acts there in a securing manner against inadvertentself-opening of the engagement between the detent plate 6 and the detentpawl 4.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, it is shown that the mechanism 100may also function with relatively large manufacturing tolerances. FIG.13 shows the so-called “min-material position” (i.e., the position inwhich all tolerances are added together so that the gap 12 reaches itsmaximum size). According to such an embodiment, the ball 10 ispositioned by the drive 7 and/or the connecting means 11 very deeplyinto the gap 12 so that in the event of a crash, the detent plate 6 onlyhas to carry out a very small rotation before the blocking function ofthe ball 10 occurs. This minimal no-load operation of the detent plate 6causes no loss of strength of the recliner. FIG. 14 shows the so-called“max-material position” (i.e., the position in which the manufacturingtolerances are added together so that the gap 12 in the context of themanufacturing tolerances is at a minimum). According to such anembodiment, the ball 10 is positioned by the drive 7 and/or theconnecting means 11 on the upper end of the gap 12 and acts in ablocking manner there without the functionality of the safety catchbeing impaired.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the mechanism 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is similarto the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 through 14, but for whichthe ball 10 is replaced by a freewheel element 10.2 which may only berotated counterclockwise about the axis of rotation 10.1 extending inthe paper plane. The freewheel element comprises a spring means 10.3which pretensions the freewheel element in a clockwise direction.Moreover, the connecting means 11 is not designed to be resilient butsubstantially rigid, but provided on the drive 7 with a rotary joint.Moreover, the contours 6.1 to 2.1.1 are not provided with an increasingcontour but with a contour remaining the same and/or decreasing towardthe outlet of the gap 12. According to the embodiment illustrated, thefreewheel element is positioned by the drive 7 and/or by the connectingmeans 11 at a point in the gap 12 at which no clearance is presentbetween the freewheel element 10.2 and the contours 6.1 and 2.1.1. Thedisplacement of the freewheel element takes place such that thefreewheel element is not blocked. According to an exemplary embodiment,the freewheel element 10.2 may only be rotated counterclockwise in theevent of a crash it prevents the rotation of the detent plate 6clockwise.

FIG. 16 shows the mechanism 100 in the unsecured state. The freewheelelement 10.2 has been pulled by the drive 7 onto the upper end of thegap 12, where it no longer acts in a securing manner on the detent plate6 which thus may also be rotated by the drive 7 counterclockwise, suchthat the detent plate 6 no longer cooperates in a securing manner withthe detent pawl 4. The displacement of the freewheel element has to becarried out so that the freewheel element is not blocked. Relative tothe advantages of the mechanism according to FIGS. 15 and 16, with highmanufacturing tolerances reference is made to the aforementionedembodiments.

1. A seat recliner comprising: first and second fitting parts, thesecond fitting part being selectively displaceable relative to the firstfitting part; a detent pawl supported at the second fitting part andmovable between a first position, wherein the second fitting part islocked relative to the first fitting part, and a second position,wherein the second fitting part is released relative to the firstfitting part; a detent plate supported at the second fitting part andmovable between a detent position for securing the detent pawl in thefirst position and a release position for allowing the detent pawl tomove to the second position; and a driver configured to selectively movethe detent plate between the detent position and the release position,the driver including a securing segment and a second segment, thesecuring segment being configured to secure the detent plate againstself opening and comprising a first connector, the second segmentcomprising a second connector, the first connector of the securingsegment and the second connector of the second segment being in at leastpartial engagement with a third connector of the detent plate, whereinthe first connector and the second connector are each at least two teethwith substantially the same tooth spacing, and wherein a transitionaltooth spacing between a first tooth of the first connector and a secondtooth of the second connector is different than the tooth spacing. 2.The recliner of claim 1 wherein the driver is movable between a driveposition and a securing position, and wherein the detent plate isconfigured to be movable from the detent position to the releaseposition when the driver is in the drive position.
 3. The recliner ofclaim 2 wherein the driver is rotatable about a drive axle such that thesecuring segment is displaceable by rotating the driver about the driveaxle from the securing position into the drive position and such thatthe detent plate is displaceable between the detent position and therelease position by rotating the driver about the drive axle.
 4. Therecliner of claim 3 wherein the securing segment is rotatable counter aforce of a first element about the drive axle.
 5. The recliner of claim1 wherein the second segment is rotatable counter to a force of a secondforce element about a drive axle.
 6. The recliner of claim 1 wherein thetransitional tooth spacing between the first connector and the secondconnector is greater than the tooth spacing provided for each of thefirst connector and the second connector.
 7. The recliner of claim 1wherein the securing segment includes at least one stop and the secondsegment includes at least one counterstop.
 8. The recliner of claim 1wherein the first connector is a securing member that engages a fronttooth of the third connector when the detent plate is in the detentposition.
 9. The recliner of claim 8 wherein the securing memberincludes a displacement member that bears against a contour of the frontdetent tooth when the detent plate is in the detent position.
 10. Therecliner of claim 1 wherein the detent pawl includes a fourth connectorthat cooperates with a corresponding structure on the first fitting partwhen the detent plate is in the detent position.
 11. The recliner ofclaim 10 wherein the detent pawl is rotatably supported about a secondaxis on the second fitting part.
 12. The recliner of claim 10 whereinthe detent plate cooperates with the detent pawl in the release positionso that the fourth connector of the detent pawl does not cooperate withthe corresponding structure on the first fitting part.
 13. A locking andreleasing mechanism for a seat having a first fitting part associatedwith one of a seat part and a backrest and a second fitting partassociated with the other one of the seat part and the backrest that maybe locked and released relative to one another by the mechanism, themechanism comprising: a detent pawl configured to selectively latch thefirst fitting part to lock a displacement of the first fitting part andthe second fitting part relative to one another; a detent plateconfigured to be reversibly displaced between a detent position whereinthe detent plate locks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remainslatched with the first fitting part and a release position wherein thedetent plate allows the detent pawl to be released from the firstfitting part; and drive means configured to selectively move the detentplate between the detent position and the release position, the drivemeans including a securing segment and a second segment, the securingsegment being configured to secure the detent plate against self openingand comprising a first positive or non-positive connecting means, thesecond segment comprising a second positive or non-positive connectingmeans, the first positive or non-positive connecting means of thesecuring segment and the second positive or non-positive connectingmeans of the second segment being in at least partial engagement with athird positive or non-positive connecting means of the detent plate,wherein the securing segment is rotatable relative to the secondsegment.
 14. The mechanism of claim 13 wherein the securing segmentcomprises at least one stop and the segment comprises at least onecounterstop.
 15. The mechanism of claim 13 wherein the drive means ismovable between a drive position and a securing position, and whereinthe detent plate is configured to be movable from the detent position tothe release position only when the drive means is in the drive position.16. The mechanism of claim 15 wherein the securing segment is configuredto be displaced by rotating the drive means about a drive axle betweenthe securing position and the drive position, and wherein the detentplate is configured to be displaced between the detent position and therelease position by rotating the drive means about the drive axle. 17.The mechanism of claim 16 wherein the securing segment is configured tobe rotated counter to a force of a first force means about the driveaxle.
 18. A locking and releasing mechanism for a seat having a firstfitting part associated with one of a seat part and a backrest and asecond fitting part associated with the other one of the seat part andthe backrest that may be locked and released relative to one another bythe mechanism, the mechanism comprising: a detent pawl configured toselectively latch the first fitting part to lock a displacement of thefirst fitting part and the second fitting part relative to one another;a detent plate configured to be reversibly displaced between a detentposition wherein the detent plate locks the detent pawl so that thedetent pawl remains latched with the first fitting part and a releaseposition wherein the detent plate allows the detent pawl to be releasedfrom the first fitting part; and drive means configured to selectivelymove the detent plate between the detent position and the releaseposition, the drive means including a securing segment and a secondsegment, the securing segment being configured to secure the detentplate against self opening and comprising a first positive ornon-positive connecting means, the second segment comprising a secondpositive or non-positive connecting means, the first positive ornon-positive connecting means of the securing segment and the secondpositive or non-positive connecting means of the second segment being inat least partial engagement with a third positive or non-positiveconnecting means of the detent plate, wherein the first connector andthe second connector are each at least two teeth with substantially thesame tooth spacing, and wherein a transitional tooth spacing between afirst tooth of the first connector and a second tooth of the secondconnector is different than the tooth spacing.
 19. The mechanism ofclaim 18 wherein the transitional tooth spacing between the firstconnector and the second connector is greater than the tooth spacingprovided for each of the first connector and the second connector.
 20. Aseat recliner comprising: first and second fitting parts, the secondfitting part being selectively displaceable relative to the firstfitting part; a detent pawl supported at the second fitting part andmovable between a first position, wherein the second fitting part islocked relative to the first fitting part, and a second position,wherein the second fitting part is released relative to the firstfitting part; a detent plate supported at the second fitting part andmovable between a detent position for securing the detent pawl in thefirst position and a release position for allowing the detent pawl tomove to the second position; and a driver configured to selectively movethe detent plate between the detent position and the release position,the driver including a securing segment and a second segment, thesecuring segment being configured to secure the detent plate againstself opening and comprising a first connector, the second segmentcomprising a second connector, the first connector of the securingsegment and the second connector of the second segment being in at leastpartial engagement with a third connector of the detent plate, whereinthe securing segment is rotatable relative to the second segment.
 21. Avehicle seat comprising: a seat part; a backrest; a first fitting partsupported at the seat part; a second fitting part supported at thebackrest; and a recliner comprising: a detent pawl supported at thesecond fitting part and movable between a first position wherein thesecond fitting part is locked relative to the first fitting part and asecond position wherein the second fitting part is released relative tothe first fitting part; a detent plate supported at the second fittingpart and movable between a detent position for securing the detent pawlin the first position and a release position for allowing the detentpawl to move to the second position; and a driver configured toselectively move the detent plate between the detent position and therelease position, the driver including a securing segment and a secondsegment, the securing segment being configured to secure the detentplate against self opening and comprising a first connector, the secondsegment comprising a second connector, the first connector of thesecuring segment and the second connector of the second segment being inat least partial engagement with a third connector of the detent plate,wherein the first connector and the second connector are each at leasttwo teeth with substantially the same tooth spacing, and wherein atransitional tooth spacing between a first tooth of the first connectorand a second tooth of the second connector is different than the toothspacing.
 22. The vehicle seat of claim 21 wherein the transitional toothspacing between the first connector and the second connector is greaterthan the tooth spacing provided for each of the first connector and thesecond connector.
 23. A method of releasing and locking a reclinermechanism, the method comprising: providing a driver with a securingsegment and a second segment, the securing segment comprising a firstconnector, the second segment comprising a second connector; providing adetent plate comprising a third connector; providing a detent pawl;displacing the securing segment from a securing position into a driveposition; displacing the detent plate with the driver from a detentposition, wherein the detent plate locks the displacement of the detentpawl, into a release position, wherein the detent plate does not lockthe displacement of the detent pawl so that the mechanism is released;and securing the detent plate against self opening by engaging the firstconnector with the third connector, wherein the first connector and thesecond connector are each at least two teeth with substantially the sametooth spacing, and wherein a transitional tooth spacing between a firsttooth of the first connector and a second tooth of the second connectoris different than the tooth spacing.
 24. The method of claim 23 whereinthe transitional tooth spacing between the first connector and thesecond connector is greater than the tooth spacing provided for each ofthe first connector and the second connector.